They refused me

[jaysoul]

Well I had the appointment today with the register to see about having a vba2c, this is a hospital in australia and its called Gosford public hospital. She started on me the moment I walked in, she told me they would flatly refuse me, and that is was there hospital policy that they do not allow a vba2c, at any costs and that if I even think about going into labor and try to turn up then, they will not touch me and I will be sent away. She said the risk of a uterus rupture after 2 c-sections is huge high, I corrected her and she said I was wrong. She said I was at a huge risk for a severe bleed after birth and yadda yadda, and then I said well I refuse a c-section and she said that is fine, find another hospital. I left there and balled my eyes out. She did not like me as I spent the whole 45 minutes throwing the knowledge I have learned in the last 4 months and when I said something she was shocked at, she changed the subject and refused to answer me. She then got her boss, which took her 15 minutes may I add, no guesses they were scheming to attack me, he came in and well he more or less said its no now leave or sign the form for a c-section, they were so rude.


So can a hospital policy be faught? Can I have my way or will they win?


She did say that she has made a appoint for me in 2 weeks to see head of directer or whatever he is called, for a second opinion as he is the one in charge, but she smuggly said he wont say yes I can asure you that.


So devastated, they are the ones who need to learn a thing or two on vba2c they are ignorant!

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

sorry you were treated so badly, i don't really know anything about vba2c but as far as i'm aware the risk of uterine rupture is extremely small. no hospital should treat any woman that way it is extremely appalling i think you should put a complaint in.
as for them saying no, who is it for them to say no i mean surely they can't force you to have major surgery can they?

[jaysoul]

Thank you sweet

I am so upset, cant think about anyhting else.


I wonder if I can fight there policy?

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I seriously doubt you can fight it. I find it really unethical that they would turn you away in labor for not agreeing to a section. Not sure about over there but here a hospital must care for you unless there is another close enough to send you to without risking your life.

[shenanegans]

I guess you will be looking for a midwife then? I can't imagine laboring in a place where you feel threatened, it just doesn't work (I know I did it and it didn't turn out well) How many weeks are you now?

[AlexisT]

I think this might be complicated by the fact that she's in Australia. Midwives work in hospitals there; I know home birth is an issue at the moment. In any case, your "rights" are often different in a public system.

I would find out if a public hospital can force you to have a section. I'm sure a private hospital could tell you to get lost, but can a public one? Don't they have a duty of care? In the UK they can't (the consultant can make your life difficult, and theoretically fire you as a patient--but one of their colleagues just gets you then, and if you showed up in labor and refused a section they would have no choice.)

If the director does the same thing, threaten a complaint to your local health authority. And find out what legal rights you have. They may threaten, but they may be relying on you not knowing that there is no force behind their threats.

[MNHall]

(((((((hugs)))))))) I'm so sorry they were so rude to you! It sounds to me like they almost felt threatened by your knoweldge of VBACs. Like changing the subject when you brought up the facts!

Anyway, I'm not sure about fighting hospital policy. It would be one thing if you were with a doctor or practice that did not allow VBACs, but the hospital did...and you could change practices. But, if the hospital does not allow them, unless they change their policy in the coming months, I'm not sure about trying to fight the policy. Especially with how must resistance they are already giving you...during labor you will get even more pressure and resistance.

Are there other hospital options, even if it means a further drive?

I know some women will show up at a hospital that does not allow VBACs and basically be pushing, that way there is no time for a c/s....so, some of these women that are forced to do this will labor as long as they can at a nearby/nextdoor hospital. But hopefully it will not have to come to that for you and you can instead go somewhere supportive! But, I've always heard that a hospital cannot turn you away when you show up in need....I'm not sure if the rules are the same there in Australia.

Good luck!!!!

[sgmom]

Can they DO that??

I'm sorry... I'm a little blown away by this! I'm so sorry that you were treated this way.

[Ambivalent Dreams]

if I even think about going into labor and try to turn up then, they will not touch me and I will be sent away.

Can they do that in Australia?!?

Here is a link to 50 ways to protest a VBAC ban: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/50ways_vbac.asp Not all of it may apply to you since you are in Australia, but hopefully it can be of some help.

I am so very sorry they treated you this way.

[kltroy]

A few thoughts:
1. The fact that you have a meeting with the director, and that he/she is even willing to discuss this is hopeful. Be prepared and do your research. Get current peer-reviewed journal articles and a copy of the NIH consensus statement on VBAC that was just drafted last month in the United States. Write up a summary of relevant statistics and studies showing that VBA2C is (1) not significantly more likely to rupture than a primary VBAC, and (2) VBA2C is not associated with worse outcomes than a second repeat c-section. Be polite and professional. Make sure that when you leave the meeting you leave the director with a letter detailing your specific request, your contact information, and all supporting documentation. At the end of the day be prepared to have the director and hospital not budge on this issue. In that case I would take the position that they have an ethical obligation to provide you with some reasonable alternative providers or suggestions of nearby hospitals that may be more flexible in this realm. (they also have an ethical obligation to practice evidence-based care!!)

2. Check about what laws protect you as far as consenting to treatment, showing up in labor at random hospitals, etc. If this hospital proves to be a hostile environment (which it sounds likely to be) then you need to know what your alternatives are.

[CherryBomb]

No advice, just

[shenanegans]

Have you had any news? I hope things are looking up.

[khaoskat]

Just seeing this, but contact ICAN, and see if there are any chapters in your Country who can advise you. If you were in the US, I could tell you almost exactly where to go in my state for a VBA2c. We have one of the leading researchers on the subject close by, Dr. Landon...you can google his studies.

The risk goes from something like .2 to .5 or from .5 to .7 % for UR at 2nd c/s.